How do I compare total value instead of marketing hype?

The full explanation

Plan marketing is built around the most attractive features. A zero-dollar premium is easy to advertise. So are extras like additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, dental allowances, or grocery cards. Those things aren't bad, but they're not the core of what a health insurance plan needs to do.Real value shows up when you actually use care. That means asking harder questions. Is your doctor in the network, and will that still be true next year? What do you pay if you need a specialist, an outpatient procedure, or a hospital stay? How does the plan handle prior authorization, which is the process where you sometimes need approval before getting certain care? How responsive is customer service when something goes wrong?One concrete way to cut through the noise is to look at the plan's Star Rating, a one-to-five scale that Medicare uses to grade Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans on things like member experience, customer service, and managing chronic conditions. A highly rated plan has a track record worth considering. A lower-rated plan is worth scrutinizing more carefully before you commit.Also talk to people who've used the plan, not just people who sell it. And if something in a plan's materials sounds too good to be true, ask a Licensed Medicare Insurance Sales Agent to explain the fine print. They can show you what the plan actually covers versus what the advertisement emphasized.